Minutes Green Seniors’ meeting: Friday 14 February (postponed from 31 January) 2020

Minutes Green Seniors’ meeting: Friday 14 February (postponed from 31 January) 2020 at 6pm meeting at the Green Room 7 Grand Arcade Tally Ho Corner North Finchley 

1.    Minutes Green Seniors’ meeting:  and AGM 8 NOVEMBER 2019 Agreed for accuracy.

 Matters arising

a) LOPSIG  (Older People Special Interest Group) replaced by Positive Ageing. Meeting 10/2/20 on Helping the Greater London Authority understand Seniors’ needs. No involvement of Green Party AMs.

 

b) TV licenses, BBC to pay for licences for those aged 75+ Apparently only for those on benefits. Enacted?

c) Erwin to introduce London Federation Disability Officer Zi Neil,  to Maureen.

d) LB Barnet has abolished the public right to speak at council meetings

e) Erwin to investigate possible 5G problems (see also GP conference motion).

f) Maureen has paid Green Seniors’ sub to
National Pensioners’ Convention, has not been reimbursed.

g)  GROUNDSWELL - THE GRASSROOTS BATTLE FOR THE NHS AND DEMOCRACY is a moving, inspiring David and Goliath documentary about ordinary Britons challenging the free marketeers’ annexation of the NHS. Erwin reports that this is very good, to update on time and venue of future showing.

h) No further info re Wales gov’t tablet loan scheme for seniors.

i) Maureen Childs now on the board of Age UK London has attended 2 meetings.

j)  British Computer Society asked by House of Lords for evidence that IT can assist with well-being. Suggested that M. Childs contact Baroness Jones about this, who replied that this was not within her remit. Contact Natalie Bennett?

2. Membership & Finances

a) Green Seniors membership list. Noel to update.

b) Pete M & Maureen had provided Metrobank with updated AGM minutes as requested. No further news on opening of bank account

3. Green Seniors social media: Erwin has set up twitter and facebook (link to blog). Email problems persist, size limits, no attachments, banning of members (?)

4.   GPEW Spring Conference 2020 Brighton, 20-22 March, deadlines below

Amendment Forum Deadline - by which time all ideas for for amendments to motions in the first agenda need to appear on the conference spaces on the members website. This will be 23:59 on the 14th February 2020

Final Agenda - by when amendments to motions published in the First Agenda must be submitted to Standing Orders Committee ready for Final Agenda publication. This will be 23:59 on the 21st February 2020,NB this is also the deadline for the prioratisation ballot.

a) Motions for Spring Conference 2020: Pete M and Martin Francis preparing list of motions for GPTU

b) Meeting SUNDAY 22 MARCH 13.30-14.45
A discussion of green issues as they relate to seniors. Open to all green party members

c) stall booked and transport arrangements made

d) Spring Conference Watermelon deadline29/2,

articles of 500-1000 words needed. Erwin to write article on Seniors & IT.

5   London Federation and elections: LF meeting Members Meeting - London 2020 - Manifesto - Thursday 20th February at 19.00

This is an opportunity to discuss our initial Manifesto for the London 2020 Mayoral Campaign - hear the emerging themes, provide feedback, and agree how we formally sign it off.

The meeting venue is TBC, but it will be in central London, and will be updated in the event invite, and a further email confirming the venue will be sent no later than Tuesday.

Doors open 18.30: Please register your attendance here.

6. Future Green Seniors events & activities:

a) Pete M attending Another Europe is Possible meetings, preparing a Charter for the UK after Brexit.

b) Campaign against Climate Change and other associated groups are planning for climate strikes/events in march/April/may and for CoP26 summit (9-19 November 2020, in Glasgow).

c) Maureen may be doing interview on ITN breakfast programme.

7 Date of Next meeting 24 April Maureen & Erwin to confirm availability of British Computer Society (Moorgate)